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School Reforms
2008 Legislative Session Wrap Up
Not only did the Legislature approve near record-level increases to education funding, but they also strategically allocated education funds to go directly to teacher salaries and innovative reforms.
CLICK HERE to read PCE's press release that sums up our take on the 2008 Legislative Session that ended on March 5th.
Below is a list of the reforms that we worked to pass this legislative session. Each of these bills meet our mission to improve k-12 education in Utah by empowering parents and promoting proven market reforms both within outside the public school system.
(To find out more about each bill, click on the bill's name)
1. Open Enrollment
PASSED
Open Enrollment Amendments - House Bill (HB) 349 - Julie Fisher - bill championed by Randy Smith and Davis Parents Org. to change and expand the criteria for open enrollment
2. Carson Smith Scholarship Program
PASSED
Carson Smith Funding (Part of the Appropriations Bill) - Merlynn Newbold - legislation to secure ongoing funding. Received $1 million in additional ongoing funds (for a total of $2.5 million ongoing) and $1 million in one-time money.
3. Merit Pay (or Performance Pay) for Teachers
PASSED
Performance Based Compensation - Senate Bill (SB) 281 - Howard Stephenson - appropriates $20 million for district-created performance pay programs that give teachers added compensation based on performance.
4. American Board Distinguished Teacher Certification
FAILED
Benefits to American Board Certified Teachers - SB 91 / SB 281 - Mark Madsen - increases compensation to teachers who are American Board Certified. To receive this certification, teacher must make a significant impact on student learning gains among other requirements that ensure success in the classroom. Go to www.abcte.org to learn more.
5. Differential Pay
PASSED
Differential Pay for Math and Science Teachers - SB 281 - Howard Stephenson - legislation provides $4,100 salary supplement to teachers who fill a math or science position for which there is a critical shortage of qualified personnel.
6. Charter School Improvements
PASSED
Charter School Funding Amendments - HB 278 / SB 2 - Bigelow - legislation increases the charter enrollment cap and altered funding to shift a portion to school districts.
Charter School Law Revisions - HB 160 - Becky Lockhart - corrects some of the administrative problems with charter school governance and the state charter school board
Charter and Online Schools Participation in Extracurricular Activities - SB 36 - Mark Madsen - legislation allows charter and online school students to participate in public school extracurricular activities
7. Online Schools
FAILED
Utah K-8 Online Virtual Schools - HB 274 - Ben Ferry - Legislation authorizes establishment of Utah K-8 Online, a virtual school (basically expanding Utah's "electronic high school" to the lower grades)
8. Home Schooling
FAILED
Home School and Extracurricular Activities - SB 37 - Mark Madsen - legislation allows home school students to participate in public school extracurricular activities
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